My concern is that there has not been enough thought put into an \armed’ state militia by State Sen. Allen and that this situation is ripe for vigilante justice abuses. One does not have to look too far back into history to see bad examples of \armed\ groups with good intentions gone horribly wrong (e.g. San Franciso Committee of Vigilance, Socorro Vigilantes, the 1917 Bisbee Deportation, etc.) It alarms me that she continues with her bullish-agenda despite opposition from some well-respected critics and legitimate concerns.

I have some position to speak – I have served, in uniform, or the border during my Navy career as an intelligence professional.

Sen. Crandall is also correct – getting members of this unit weapons qualified will cost a lot of money, as will the background checks. To compare to the security clearance cost for the military, it is more than $6000 per service member to get a basic clearance. Also, the bill needs to do more than bar just dishonorable discharged military members – there are other categories, such as “under less than honorable” or “general” or “dismissed for the good of the service” printed on military discharge papers.

Then there is the issue of people being physically fit. Members of the Arizona National Guard and the Federal military reserve forces have bi-annual physical agility tests and must achieve passing scores to stay in uniform. It is about safety of the military member, both self and comrades, that there are standards.

I’d rather see these monies re-directed to the border sheriffs so they could expand their reserve and volunteer groups to extend law enforcement along the border rather than create another group that ultimately becomes another government entity that soaks up dollars that could have been better used.

If not, could someone explain the US Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines to her?

And, let her know that they’re trained as well.